Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	May 20, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000711065
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		77,972,678
Entity Public Float			$ 800,837
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes